She shuddered, backing away. “How do you know? That’s her jewelry?”
“Zandians mark their females when they mate. Pierce their skin and gift them Zandian crystal, that they might always be fertile and fed with the power that sustains us all. It’s to show the male will always provide for his female.”
She wrinkled her nose to mask the stir of longing his explanation gave her. This picture of domestic bliss didn’t fit any reality she’d ever known. And, yet, something dreadful happened inside her as she stared at the winking jewels.
Recognition.
And with it came a terrible, horrible sense of loss.
As if a bomb struck that moment, she found herself on her hands and knees in the dirt, a sob of utter horror choking her throat. Icy prickles raced over her skin.
“Talia? Talia, what is it?”
Sh
